Mcdonald Finds Focus In Time

Gainesville — Forget about the starting job. In last week's 65-3 win against San Jose State, defensive tackle Ray McDonald almost didn't play.

Florida coach Ron Zook said he nearly benched the former Miami-Belle Glade standout two days before the game because he "slopped around" during practice.

"I threw him off the field," Zook said. "He wasn't practicing the way he needed to."

The next day, the redshirt freshman met with Zook in his office and worked out the problem.

McDonald may have made up for his mistakes. He recorded a sack, two tackles for losses and three solo tackles in his first career start.

"I put my arm around him as we were walking off the and told him I was glad he played," Zook said.

McDonald will remain the starting tackle against Miami.

"He has a chance to be an awfully good player," Zook said. "He's a talented individual. It's just hard to maintain the intensity that you want them to. You try to develop habits with the young guys by showing them how it's going to be."

SAY WHAT?

No doubt about it, offensive lineman Shannon Snell loves to talk. By now, his brash comments about Miami have been well-read.

As Florida's trash-talking spokesperson, Snell even offered up his rules for the banter. Rule No. 1: Don't get personal in the newspapers. If you're going to insult someone's mama, save it for the field.

Rule No. 2: Don't make any outrageous predictions. Snell said when he was in high school, he once told a reporter his team would win 70-0. The final score was 14-7.

So while he may have ethics when throwing down the smack, it doesn't mean he's keeping quiet.

And Brock Berlin? Snell may like him, but he said Berlin's decision to attend Miami wasn't for the right reasons.

"He just wanted to show the University of Florida they made a mistake," he said.

And Saturday, Snell will have his chance to prove he didn't make a mistake, either.

SHUFFLE ON O-LINE

Florida offensive lineman Max Starks will jump back to left tackle against Miami, knocking junior college transfer Tavares Washington out of the starting rotation. Starks practiced at right guard for a majority of the summer after starting at tackle all last season.

As a result of the move, Lance Butler will start at right guard. ...

CB Dee Webb, who was questionable entering Thursday's practice, will not play Saturday because of a sprained ankle.

"He's probably not going to go," Zook said. "If he was a guy that played a lot and had a lot of experience, he'd probably play."